SouthernWorldwide.com – AC Milan has made a significant move, dismissing coach Massimiliano Allegri and CEO Giorgio Furlani on Monday. This decision comes in the wake of what the club’s ownership has described as an “unequivocal failure” for the entire season.
The club’s U.S. owner, RedBird, initiated this managerial overhaul just a day after AC Milan narrowly missed out on a Champions League spot. The team’s failure to secure a berth was by a single point, a consequence of squandering a 1-0 lead and ultimately losing their final home match against Cagliari, a team already out of contention, with a score of 2-1. The disappointing performance led to the Rossoneri being booed off the field by their own supporters.
Throughout a large portion of the Serie A season, Milan held strong positions, often within the top two and actively competing for the league title. However, a drastic dip in form, marked by only two victories in their last eight matches, saw them plummet to fifth place on Sunday, the concluding day of the season.
In a statement, RedBird articulated their reasoning, stating, “The final stretch was completely inconsistent with the performance up to that point, with last night’s disappointing loss in the final game turning the season into an unequivocal failure.”
“It is now time for change and a comprehensive reorganization of football operations,” the statement continued. “Effective immediately, we are parting ways with CEO Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare, head coach Massimiliano Allegri and technical director Geoffrey Moncada. We thank each one for their hard work and dedication to AC Milan during their respective tenures.”
Notably, RedBird has retained Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who will serve as a special adviser to the club.
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Allegri’s tactical approach, often characterized as conservative, is believed to have stifled the team’s creative output, particularly during the crucial latter stages of the season.
Key attacking players, including U.S. men’s national team star Christian Pulisic, who concluded the Serie A campaign with an impressive 8 goals and 4 assists, found themselves underserved during this period of collapse. This offensive drought coincided with Milan securing only two wins in their final eight league fixtures.
Allegri had returned to Milan last year with the specific mandate of guiding the Rossoneri back into the Champions League, a goal that seemed achievable given the team’s eighth-place finish in Serie A the preceding season. During his tenure, Allegri oversaw 42 matches, achieving 22 victories, 10 draws, and 10 defeats.
RedBird managing partner Gerry Cardinale is now expected to collaborate closely with Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the restructuring of the club. This significant undertaking will include the critical process of selecting a new coach, CEO, and sporting director.
“Further announcements regarding the next appointments will be made in due course — with the goal to be ready and well prepared for the next season,” the statement concluded, signaling a swift transition and preparation for the upcoming campaign.
